Method of treating schistosomal infestations by iontophoresis

Abstract

A method of treating schistosomal infestations by both adult worms and eggs-miracidia, residing in the veins, venules and nearby tissues either of the bladder and ureters or of the colorectal regions of the intestines, including the locally administration by iontophoresis of at least an antischistosomal drug in the form of a solution.

That is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating schistosomal infestations by both adult worms and eggs-miracidia, localized in the veins, venules and nearby tissues either of the bladder and ureters or of the colo-rectal regions of the intestine which comprises the steps of: a) inserting a catheter via the urethra into the bladder or via rectum within a selected segment of the colo-rectal region, said catheter encompassing an active electrode of appropriate polarity connected to an external power source;   b) infusing via said catheter at least an antischistosomal drug in the form of a solution;   c) placing in contact with a suitable skin location, an indifferent electrode of opposite polarity to said active electrode;   d) supplying an electrical current from said external power source with matching polarities to said active electrode and said indifferent electrode thereby permitting passage of current and consequent administration by iontophoresis of said at least an antischistosomal drug into the tissues surrounding the active electrode.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least an antischistosomal drug is an ionizable compound. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is difficulty ionizable and is administered in conjunction with at least another ionizable drug. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1, comprising administering two antischistosomal drugs. 
     
     
       5. A method according of claim 1, comprising administering an antischistosomal drug in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory drug. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is selected from the group consisting of a trivalent antimony compound, a pentavalent antimony compound, niridazole, metrifonate, oxamniquine, praziquantel, mixture thereof and salts thereof. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is a trivalent antimony compound selected from salts of trivalent antimony with organic acids. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is a pentavalent antimony compound selected from salts of pentavalent antimony with organic acids. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is niridazole. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is metrifonate. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is oxamniquine. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is praziquantel. 
     
     
       13. A method according to claim 4, wherein said two drugs are a trivalent and a pentavalent antimony compounds. 
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 4, wherein said two drugs are either one of a trivalent or pentavalent antimony compound, and metrifonate. 
     
     
       15. A method according to claim 4, wherein said two drugs are either one of a trivalent or pentavalent antimony compound, and niridazole. 
     
     
       16. A method according to claim 4, wherein said two drugs are either one of a trivalent or pentavalent antimony compound, and oxamniquine. 
     
     
       17. A method according to claim 4, wherein said two drugs are either one of a trivalent or pentavalent antimony compound. 
     
     
       18. A method according to claim 5, wherein said anti-inflammatory drug is an ionized esterified corticosteroid compound. 
     
     
       19. A method according to claim 5, wherein said anti-inflammatory drug is a corticosteroid compound consisting of dexamethasone phosphate. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said antischistosomal drug is contained in said solution at a concentration ranging from 0.2 to 10% w/v. 
     
     
       21. A method according to claim 1, comprising administering from 20 to 500 ml of said solution containing said at least one antischistosomal drug.